What is a Service-Learning Trip?

“Mission Trips” —-> “Service-Learning Trips”

Service has always been at the core of Geist Christian Church. It’s not just something we aim to do within our community, but we also work to extend our impact as far as possible. For many years, we’ve accomplished this through Mission Trips. Each summer, our junior high and high school youth participate in these trips, and we offer trips for adults on a rolling basis. This year, we’re making a slight but intentional change. Instead of calling them “Mission Trips,” we are now referring to them as “Service-Learning Trips.”

This change reflects our purpose and goals for these trips: to serve and to learn. Each time we come together as a group, there’s a meaningful exchange. We give of our time, resources, and abilities, and in return, we receive knowledge, friendship, and growth in faith. The term “Service-Learning” captures and celebrates this mutual exchange. These trips provide powerful opportunities to both give and receive God’s grace and love.

FAQS

Q: So what happened to mission trips??

A: Nothing. They just got a new name.

Q: What happens if I still call them mission trips?

A: Nothing! That’s okay. Changing things can be hard. I find myself calling them mission trips off and on since we’ve been doing it for so long. I do find it important to refer to the trips as Service-Learning Trips as often as I can so that I remember the point of the trips.

Q: Does this change how we do trips?

A: The content of our youth trips will be similar to how they have been the past 3 years. We have been moving towards this model for many years. Our language helps us to be more intentional about how we serve & learn on these trips.

Have more questions? Let me know! Send an email to youth@geistchristian.org.

-Pastor Sam